Tuesday, April 12, 2022 3:00 pm

LONG BEACH - The Long Beach Merchants Association (LBMA) will present a crowd-pleasing line up of festivals for 2022. Included among them are a series of downtown events during the city's 100 Day Centennial Celebration, which was conceived and organized by the LBMA.

"We've spent countless hours planning and are excited to be presenting the 100 days of celebration in honor of our city's centennial so that residents and visitors alike can join in this milestone," said Karla Jensen, president, Long Beach Merchants Association.

Continuing the festivities the City of Long Beach launched with a fireworks display on Feb. 5, the LBMA have filled the 100 days with a charm trail, ribbon cuttings for businesses that have launched over the last year, 1920s-themed photo ops located around town, and more.

LBMA has also brought a centennial theme to existing events, too. Included are the following:

Long Beach Razor Clam Festival, April 16 and 17, a celebration of one of the Northwest's heritage pastimes: digging for razor clams. Activities include clam digging and cleaning lessons, an amatuer and restaurant chowder taste off, and an oyster shucking contest. Barbecued oysters, a big slide, handcrafted items, and other vendors will be located at Veterans' Field, along with an amazing lineup of musicians including The Oyster Crackers, Texas Tribute, a ZZ Top cover band, and the Legendary Rae Gordon Gospel Easter morning and Rae Gordon Band in the afternoon

Beach Clean Up, April 23, a community-wide effort to clear washed up trash. Volunteers are invited to show up in 1920s inspired swimwear;

Centennial Celebration Dinner, April 30, at the Elks Lodge, honoring community dignitaries from years past. Themed after a 1920s Speakeasy, the evening will include dancing, a live band and other entertainment;

71st Annual Loyalty Day Parade, May 1, a heritage event, which originated locally in 1950 with the Veterans of Foreign War. This year's Loyalty Day parade is themed "Centennial Celebration."

The Long Beach Merchants Association is also producing or helping with these events:

Pacific Coast Running Festival, May 13-15, a series of events including a half marathon, 5K and 10K, bike tours, and races for kids;

World's Longest Garage Sale, May 27-29, an epic treasure hunt with sales put on by individuals up and down the Long Beach Peninsula;

Summerfest, Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, free family friendly activities every summer weekend in downtown Long Beach. Activities range from face painting and chalk art to live music and street entertainment;

Sandsations, July 19 to 23, a sand extravaganza with professionally created sand sculptures concentrated in downtown Long Beach and additional sites along the 28-mile peninsula. Lesson Beach for children and adults and a sand-sculpture competition are among the other highlights;

Holidays at the Beach, Nov. 25 to 27, a kick off for the festive season on the Long Beach Peninsula with a Santa Run, Santa Parade, a screening of favorite holiday movies, and more.

About the Long Beach Merchants Association

The Long Beach Merchants Association (LBMA) is the not-for-profit business development and support organization for businesses on the Long Beach Peninsula. LBMA has been instrumental in developing, organizing and hosting festivals funded by grants from the City of Long Beach to attract people to the downtown core. LBMA also operates The Long Beach Visitor and Merchant Services Center, in the city's former police station and adjacent to Veterans' Field, at 212 Pacific Ave. South, Long Beach. For more information, please call 360.777.1226.

For destination information, access www.VisitLongBeachPeninsula.com.